This minor in ‘Biology - Ecology' gives you an introduction to ecological principles and ecological research tools. More information on a specific course described below, can be found in the online course guide. If you scroll down you can find an active course guide link in the section "Learning Goals/Leerdoelen".

If you study a relevant Applied Sciences Bachelor's programme (see Requirements/Ingangseisen) this minor can replace the mandatory Pre-Master's. That means that with this minor of 30 ECTS, you will be directly admitted to the Master’s in Biology at Radboud University after having finished your Applied Sciences diploma.

You will follow three courses per period: one course on Monday-Tuesday, one course on Wednesday and one course on Thursday-Friday. In the schedule below, you can choose a course of your own preference on Wednesday in period 1 and period 2 and on Thursday/Friday in period 1.

Period 1

Monday/Tuesday

• Ecological Theory and Data Analysis (NWI-BB083B)

Wednesday

• Biology and Society (NWI-BB011B)

or

• Climate Change: Science & Policy (NWI-FMT034)

Thursday/Friday

• Systems Ecology (NWI-BB022B) - requires motivational letter with deadline July 31 to be sent to yvet.telgenkamp@ru.nl

or

• Environmental Toxicology (NWI-BB096)

Period 2

Monday/Tuesday

• Biological Invasions (NWI-BB088)

Wednesday

• Exploring Science in Society (NWI-FC0041)

or

• History of Biology (NWI-BB028B)

Thursday/Friday

• Human and Ecological Risk Assessment (NWI-MB024)

Ecological Theory and Data Analysis: Topics covered in the course include model choice, (multivariate) regression analyses, principle component analyses, capture-mark-recapture analyses and model selection. We will also explore dynamic models as for instance invasion, metapopulation, coexistence and species interaction models.

Biology and Society: In this course the societal role of biology will be addresses: biology plays a role in society and this can cause conflicts, tension and ethical issues.

Climate Change: Science & Policy: Addressing climate change is one of the greatest challenges of this day. This requires understanding the science behind human intervention in the climate, the impacts of different temperature increase scenarios and how to adapt to them, as well as how to reduce emissions to mitigate climate change. This course aims to update you on the scientific issues around climate change, as well as on the most important national and international policy developments.

Systems Ecology: You will get insight in the structure and the function of (aquatic) ecosystems. You will learn about the conditions in ecosystems and how species have adapted to this. Mandatory part of this course is an excursion week to the Dutch island Terschelling. The other two courses in this period will take this into account. This course has limited positions and therefore a motivational letter is required.

Environmental Toxicology: This course aims at covering the field in its full width, including aspects of environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology, toxicology, ecology and risk assessment. Fundamental insights into fate and effects of chemicals are covered was well as recent approaches to effect assessment and molecular analysis of mechanisms causing toxicity.

Biological Invasions: The course focuses on competences, skills and knowledge that will be required for scientific research on biological invasions and risk analysis of alien species.

Exploring Science in Society: The purpose of this course is to get acquainted with topics of science in society on the basis of case studies and to gain insight into the interaction between science, politics, media and citizens. (site will be updated to English)

History of Biology: It may sound like a dreadful cliché, but the aim of this course is to learn from the past. The course will not present you with an endless stream of historic facts or isolated funny anecdotes (although some of the history of biology can be quite entertaining). The stress will be on the interpretation of history: we will try to understand patterns and relations in the development of biology, rather than list who discovered what, where, and when.

Human & Ecological Risk Assessment (NWI-MB024C):
After completing the course, the student should be able to describe the main chemical and toxicological processes determining emission, fate, accumulation and effects of pollutants, apply simple models simulating the above-mentioned processes and interpret the results and critically reflect upon human and ecological risk assessments of pollutants from a scientific and stakeholder perspective.

 

See the learning goals of each individual course in the online course guide for more detailed information.

Third or fourth year's students from the Bachelor's of Applied Sciences Universities. In general all natural sciences course programmes, such as Applied Biology (Toegepaste Biologie), Land and Water Management, Aquatic Ecotechnology, Second degree teacher in Biology, Microbiology, Environmental Sciences.
If you are not sure about your eligibility for this minor please contact us.

See the literature (mandatory or optional) of each individual course in the online course guide.

The courses of period 1 are scheduled from September 2 – November 1, 2024. The courses of period 2 are scheduled from November 4 – January 24, 2025.

As soon as you are fully enrolled at Radboud University you will be able to construct your Personal Schedule via the Student Portal by adding the course codes or course name to your Personal Schedule.

For every course there is a first exam and a resit opportunity in the same study year. The first exam is scheduled at the end of the period and the resit is scheduled in the last week of the next period.

See the information in the online course guide for more details about exams / products of each individual course.

At the end of the minor when all courses are passed you can request your grade list at the coordinator of the minor programme. More information will be given during the introduction meeting and you will receive emails during the minor to update you on this.